Did I say "Adventure"??? (A question for experienced Giant Handlers)

I apologize in advance for this long post. I hope you'll bear with me. It's hard to type, so I'll try to keep it brief...but I guess I'm too fond of talking to do a good job of that. :rolleyes:

So...I'm in a situation where I have the responsibility of caring for a ~7.5' Burmese python. http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showthread.php?t=100910 I've only been there a very short time and only handled her or been in her enclosure a few times, but each of those times was uneventful. She seems like a very docile snake. Until yesterday...

A little info about her enclosure: It's built up high...the top of it reaches to about my nose when I'm standing beside it. And it's accessed only from above. So I have to stand on a step ladder to get a full view of what's going on inside and to reach in for anything. The enclosure is about as deep as my arm is long...so to reach the bottom (which inevitably needs cleaning!) I have to lean over and into it.

Yesterday, I was doing some spot-cleaning and changing out her water. When I picked up the water bowl, some of the old water sloshed out and made a mess. I set the bowl aside and started to sop up the spill with paper towels. And she nailed me...hard. :( :oops: :(

My hand closed into a fist the moment she launched, and she got a literal knuckle sandwich. The top of her mouth sank into the back of my hand and her lower jaw went around my fingers to trap my fist in her mouth. Her teeth also snagged on rings I was wearing. I think those rings actually helped to keep her teeth from digging in any farther. She tried to wrap, but I was able to use the back side of the enclosure to block part of her body. She got loops up on either side of my hand and squeezed it like a sandwich, but was not able to encircle my arm....though she tried mightily.

So...I'm standing there on this step ladder, hanging over her enclosure with her full weight dangling by the teeth from my hand. Hurt like a son-of-a...gun! I couldn't lift her out of the enclosure without allowing her to encircle my arm or worse. I was just stuck there for about 10 minutes, until Debbie, the zoo keeper came by. By this time, I'm sweating and trembling something fierce....but keeping my cool, at least. I never panicked or cried or struggled. Just waited patiently because that was all I could do at the moment.

With Debbie's help, we were able to lift her out and get her to the sink. Running water didn't do anything. Tried bending the tail backwards, as I've heard that is supposed to do something...but nada. (Not sure if we were too gentle...I was afraid of hurting her!) So I settled down, with her weight resting in the sink now....to wait. Trying to stay calm and "play dead"...although that's hard to do when she would continue to try and loop a coil completely around my arm. But after another 10 minutes or so, she finally had had enough and let go. Debbie and I both danced backwards rather quickly. :rolleyes:

Now, I've got blood pouring off my hand...one scared zoo keeper....and one pissed off Burm on the wrong side of her enclosure. (Debbie's funny...she can work beautifully with big cats and wolves and bears...but is scared of the snake.) I'll cut the story short here....after I cleaned up my hand, it took another 30 minutes or so of careful "encouragement" to get Butterscotch back into her enclosure, safe and sound. I was a little too shook-up, and my hands trembling too badly (not to mention one of them hurting like crazy) to try and attempt to grab her. Gentle re-direction from the end of a broom got her crawling in the right direction...eventually.

So....now my QUESTION:

She's still my responsibility. No one else is willing to mess with her. I won't give up on her. I realize I'm in a little deeper over my head than I'd imagined. But the situation is what it is. I either walk away...or I stick with it and do the best I can with it. Walking away is simply not an option. But my confidence is shaken quite a bit.

For those of you who handle giants regularly.... How did YOU feel when you got your first truly dangerous bite? (Makes my little nips from ball pythons seem extraordinarily insignificant now!) I didn't panic at the time...I kept my head and believe I did as well as anyone could under the circumstances. But...how do I prevent such a thing from happening again? How can I learn how to deal with her confidently?

I do have a snake hook...but have never needed to use one before now. After yesterday, the hook now seems like something that LOOKS easy to use when you watch the experts....but feels awkward and flimsy in my own inexperienced hand.

Lessons Learned:

1. Always make sure Debbie or other capable adult is within hailing distance when messing with Butterscotch in any way. (She's big, but I honestly didn't think she was "that big" quite yet......but....she is!! Oh my goodness, she is! :oops: :oops: :oops: )

2. Always wear heavy-duty gloves when getting Butterscotch out of her enclosure. I realize gloves don't prevent a bite from landing elsewhere...but at least I have a chance of getting some protection between me and a potential bite.

3. Always remove her and secure in a tub before doing ANY cleaning or work inside her enclosure.

I really, really don't want to be afraid of her. I don't want to mess this up. I want to learn from it and move on to become a truly confident snake handler. But how do I do that on my own without recklessly endangering myself?

This has been a hard story to share. In part, the physical discomfort of typing it out....but mostly, the embarrassment of having been caught with my drawers down around my ankles...of having so grievously underestimated her willingness/ability to strike, and at the same time overestimating my own "experience" at handling snakes. :tears:

PS -- No pictures. Sorry. Didn't have a camera at the time of the bite when it was all bloody and juicy. :rolleyes: And afterwards, once it was all cleaned up, it just doesn't look like much....a bunch of pin-pricks and scratches....and one giant swollen knot on the back of my hand.

All I can say is OUCH Judy. Sounds like quite the ordeal but I'm glad you're going to stick with it. I'm sure you and Butterscotch will laugh about this in the future over a cup of tea.

Congrats, you're in the club.

Sounds like a feeding response and if she's that size, she's probably hungry a lot more than you might think. At that size she's like your average teenager, able to eat huge quantities regularly and like it.

Is it possible to get in the cage instead of dangling from above? Can you use a shield, trash can lid, piece of wood, to block her when you're cleaning?

The hook will help moving her and alerting her to your presence but don't count on it for picking her up. It's tougher than it looks.

I'd feed her, feed her again in a few days, maybe a week, then proceed like it never happened. She's forgotten it by now, and you've got a story.

Add in that she pulled you in and it was only a knot in your shoestring getting caught in a on the latch of the cage that prevented you from being pulled in completely and that while you never uttered a sound, you were giving her the "whatfor" mentally, you know, spice it up.

Oh yeah, keep a spray bottle of rubbing alcohol around too. You can use it one-handed and I've never found anything that worked better. No matter what you hear, it won't hurt your snake.

I have no experience with the bigger snakes. My bigest is only about 6 feet or so. I think you did the best that you could in the situation, and came away with some knowledge. First, you remained calm, and second you now know to have someone else near you when you work with this snake. I thought I read somewhere something about having some listerine around for making them let go. I can't remember exactly how it was used, so maybe someone can chime in on this. Also, if they can say if this is a good or bad idea. It has been a while since I read about it.

The last lesson you should have learned... Have a camera ready at all times.:)

Glad all is well, and happy to hear that you are not giving up on her.

Thanks guys!

Wes, no, I can't get inside the cage...but using a shield is definitely an idea. I was considering that while waiting for her to let go. I could slide some barrier down the middle of the enclosure and clean whichever side she isn't on...then scootch her over to the other side and do it again. But there are some decorative branches going across the length of the cage...I'll have to figure out how to rearrange to get those out of my way.

Definitely a story to tell! Next time I'll be sure to embellish the gushing blood and the baleful gaze of hate as she tried to stare me down. :P

She'd just had two huge rats on Sunday...but I can well believe that she was ready to eat again already. I'm getting some rabbits this week and will be feeding her again on Sunday. My plan had been to feed her once a week (which is far more frequently than she's been fed up til now). But if you and others believe she'd be better off eating more frequently, I'll look into doing that...even if I have to buy some of the prey myself for the extra feedings.

The rubbing alcohol sounds worthy of keeping on hand. I'll have some before I go out there again, for sure.

Thank you for your words of encouragement and advice...they've been very helpful!

I have a couple questions for you Judy , if you dont mind?

1-- how old is this burm
2-- how often has it been handled
3-- is there any way of rearanging the cage to have a door on the side or back/front.
4-- when you reach in the cage can you see the activity of the burm? IMO the most important thing of all.


as far as bites. I have only been bitten twice once by an 6 ft burm and once by a 8 ft burm . didnt really consider them painful just annoying. one on the hand such as yours and the other on the forearm. I now people say use water ,alcohol and other methods. what worked for me was grabbing the snake right behind the jaws and putting pressure on the sides of the jaws right at the joint. didnt have to be to much either . hook training even in the most novice of hands ( when it comes to hooks not snakes) is still a good preventative measure. is there any way you could post pics of the enclosure?

Judy :hug:

It was not funny at all when you called me last night to tell me about this, but reading it now, I did giggle a bit, simply because you're a wonderful story teller, and you put me right there with you. It's one of those you can laugh now about it situations. Although I know that your hand is still very painful for you.

You earn major kudo's for being determined to be there for this girl when so many other's haven't.

Can't offer you any advice about working with the giants, though it looks like Wes has already given you some good pointers!

It's not frequency of feeding, it's amount fed.

At that size all they want to do is eat. Switching to a weekly rabbit feeding, even every 10 days for the next few feet of growth will help mellow the snake out, providing it's just not one of the few who are simply mean.

Be sure to tickle her with something before you clean from now on and watch her eyes before you start. They move and you can read them, eventually.

You'll be laughing heartily soon.

I have no experience with large snakes nor have I been bitten before, but I know how you feel. When I got bit by my female BP a long time ago (during feeding time, completely my fault) I was scared to hold her again because I didn't want to get bit, but I knew if I didn't she would turn into a mean snake, and that meant my favorite and most docile snake I've ever owned would not be able to be handled. So, I handled her a few days after, and she was as nice as she always has been. I handle her frequently too, and she's still that docile snake.

When you clean/handle that snake again, show no fear. Even though the bite was painful, it was by accident because the snake thought it was being fed. I'm sure that won't ever happen again, only if your careful. When you go in to clean out the enclosure, spot clean, change water, etc., make sure you know where she is and where her head is, and when you do always watch to see what she's doing just in case she's trying to make a move to bite you again.

I know she's not a giant, but my common boa Sonja is a good 8.5ft now. I never deal with her without someone else around. She weighs about 27lbs and is all muscle.

When I clean her enclosure, I always take her out and put her in a pillowcase. It's just safer for me and less stressful for the snake.

I've also found that rabbits, the 3.5-4lber size, keep her full for at least 3 weeks. They don't leave a big lump, just a nice thickening in her belly. When she was on rats years ago, it would take at least 4-6 large rats and then a week later she would be hungry again. I think you'll definitely see a big improvement when on the rabbits. Not to mention it will be less expensive, haha.

I would also see about getting a new enclosure or putting it lower to the ground so it's more easily accessible. Being on a stepladder and leaning over into a tank just doesn't sound safe.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Shawn

I have a couple questions for you Judy , if you dont mind?

1-- how old is this burm
2-- how often has it been handled
3-- is there any way of rearanging the cage to have a door on the side or back/front.
4-- when you reach in the cage can you see the activity of the burm? IMO the most important thing of all.

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Don't mind the questions at all...

1-- I don't know, but I do know that two years ago, she was measured by a vet as 6' long. Now, two years later, we're guessing she's about 7.5' or so...definitely not as big as I believe she should be by now, had she been fed appropriately.

2-- There was one volunteer that worked well with her and he would handle her a couple times a week...but he can't work there anymore due to his own busy schedule. She's been taken out for demonstrations to groups and such...and it seems like once she's out of her enclosure she's very calm. But I don't think she's been handled regularly at all, at least over the last couple of years.

3-- The only way to rearrange her enclosure is to rebuild it from scratch, basically. I DO plan on working on a new enclosure that will be the right size for her when she grows bigger...and I'll try to include a side-opening door on that one. But that's a long-term project that won't be easily accomplished.

4-- When I'm above the cage looking in, I can see her completely. So it's possible to watch her to safely gauge when/how to pick her up or whatever...but I know now that I don't dare take my eyes off her to clean a corner or something.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by wilomn

It's not frequency of feeding, it's amount fed.

At that size all they want to do is eat. Switching to a weekly rabbit feeding, even every 10 days for the next few feet of growth will help mellow the snake out, providing it's just not one of the few who are simply mean.

Be sure to tickle her with something before you clean from now on and watch her eyes before you start. They move and you can read them, eventually.

You'll be laughing heartily soon.

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That's encouraging to hear about the rabbits. And despite my feelings of feebleness with the hook, I DO plan on continuing to use to to alert her to my presence and condition her to being ready to be taken out of her enclosure.

And I'm almost able to grin about it now. :P

Quote:

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Originally Posted by SatanicIntention

I know she's not a giant, but my common boa Sonja is a good 8.5ft now. I never deal with her without someone else around. She weighs about 27lbs and is all muscle.

When I clean her enclosure, I always take her out and put her in a pillowcase. It's just safer for me and less stressful for the snake.

I've also found that rabbits, the 3.5-4lber size, keep her full for at least 3 weeks. They don't leave a big lump, just a nice thickening in her belly. When she was on rats years ago, it would take at least 4-6 large rats and then a week later she would be hungry again. I think you'll definitely see a big improvement when on the rabbits. Not to mention it will be less expensive, haha.

I would also see about getting a new enclosure or putting it lower to the ground so it's more easily accessible. Being on a stepladder and leaning over into a tank just doesn't sound safe.

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Thanks, Becky! I remember Sonja...she is definitely bigger and much heavier than Butterscotch is right now. Even when I held her that one time a couple years ago, she may not have been as long, but she was still heavier than Butterscotch is today.

There's no way to get a new enclosure or move the current one...it's built into the building as part of a reptile display house. It's all solid wood except for the front viewing glass and the screened top panels.

I'll try to get pictures of it this weekend. Before I'm done with my time there as a volunteer, I'd like that snake house to be MUCH more "user friendly" for whoever the next keeper may be.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by rabernet

Judy :hug:

It was not funny at all when you called me last night to tell me about this, but reading it now, I did giggle a bit, simply because you're a wonderful story teller, and you put me right there with you. It's one of those you can laugh now about it situations. Although I know that your hand is still very painful for you.

You earn major kudo's for being determined to be there for this girl when so many other's haven't.

Can't offer you any advice about working with the giants, though it looks like Wes has already given you some good pointers!

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Awww...thanks, Robin! :hug: You can laugh now. :P

I'm glad you can grin a lil about it now, Judy. That's a much bigger bite then you're used to! I'm glad it worked out ok, and it seems like you're getting some solid advice here. You handled it better than I would. Shawn can vouch that I'm a big wuss when it comes to certain large snakes;)

It sounds like she isnt an overlly aggressive snake and that it was more then likely a simple feeding response. My best advice to this is to simply hook train the animal. I feed my animals every week from small rats all the way up to 6 pound rabbits and a burmese python is basically a garbage disposal. I could feed mine a 3 pound rabbit on friday and saturday hes still looking for more food. So I have hook trained all my animals and I simply tap there heads with the hook as soon as I open there enclosures and then I reach in and pull them out. If I was to just stick my hand in there without letting them see the hook I would more then likely get nailed.

As far as getting them off you when the strike and bite down Ive tried all kinds of things and I think the one that worked the least was pulling the tail! lol All that did with me was piss the snake off even more. But I always have a spray bottle full of listerine with me whenever im handling or doing simple cage cleanings. And if any ever latch on I spray it right in there mouth and they release instantly! And ive done this with snakes and monitors and it works great with both. Monitors tend to like to chew on you and it is not pleasant. But listerine has never once failed me.

Good luck judy! Dont give up on her you guys will learn to read each other after time.

Thanks for the "Adventure"!

One thing I haven't seen mentioned is the location of the enclosure itself. Is it in a "strictly reptile" location, or is there other enclosures around that will put the "food scent" in the area? If there are other animals housed in the same area you are in for an uphill battle for sure.

7.5 feet and probably 3 years old. And it's a female. Ouch! No wonder she's looking for food. From your description, however, she seems to be normally tractable... get her used to your scent as being non-threatening as much as possible. She'll get to know you and that you are not a threat, nor something to eat.

If you know how to read ball pythons (like Wes mentioned), then these guys are pretty much the same. You can tell when they are wondering if you're edible.

Good luck! Stick with it!

Chris

Thanks, guys! I'll probably end up with a bottle of alcohol AND Listerine... LOL Never hurts to have a back-up plan.

Chris, there had been some live rats stored in the snake house, but I fed off the last of those this past Sunday. (From now on, she'll be on frozen rabbits) Other than those old rats, the closest things she might smell are a tiger and some bears. LOL And even those warm-blooded mammal scents aren't all that close.

I'm feeling a lot better today...the hand is still very tender and swollen, but the swelling has gone down a lot. I've got full motion in all my fingers...no serious damage done. Mostly though, I'm feeling mentally and emotionally better...and am already looking forward to getting back in there and making sure she is OK. :D

Glad to hear your ok and doing better!

The largest I have worked with regularly is 9ft though as time goes on that will probably change.
Lesson #1 is probably the most important, Even with my own animals that I know well I want someone close in case something happens. Interestingly the big snakes never go after me, they always seem to bite the guys and they are the female snakes most often too. We used to have a boa in the lab that would bite the guys when she was ovulating but never got me.Even though I have been lucky I have seen what they can do and I always want help around in case something does go wrong.
The step ladder is a bit unsteady, is there anyway to build something to go in front so you are on a larger surface and can maneuver easier. If she were to strike again and you move to avoid her it would be really easy to lose your balance.
The important thing is this time nothing too serious happened and you have learned some important lessons. I hope it heals fast.
The others have pretty much covered all the good points so I would just be repeating them but I am glad to hear you are sticking with it and not giving up.

Judy why is the only way to access her enclosure from above? I think they need to redo her enclosure for your safety and hers.If she is not used to much interaction with humans other then just feeding time it will take her time to adjust to you and your presence on a daily basis.Now be carefull from now on we need you around here lol :P

Joe...the cage itself is part of the building...and the whole thing built years ago. How long ago, I have no idea, but it's pretty old. And I'm quite sure it was built with the intent to display reptiles...by people who had little knowledge of what's actually involved in keeping reptiles.

Butterscotch came in as a rescue situation. The building was never meant to house a full-grown burm, but it's the best we have right now.

Rebuilding it is an option...IF I want to do it myself. Which, I do...eventually. She will need a much larger enclosure eventually and I want to make sure she has that before I leave. (We're probably moving again next summer) When I rebuild some of these old enclosures into one big one, I will definitely be incorporating some safety measures for handling a giant snake. BUT...that whole project is on my shoulders...and I'm no carpenter. It's going to take time.

In the meantime, I'm stuck with the step ladder and going in from above. Just have to make the best of what I have to work with right now.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by JLC

Joe...the cage itself is part of the building...and the whole thing built years ago. How long ago, I have no idea, but it's pretty old. And I'm quite sure it was built with the intent to display reptiles...by people who had little knowledge of what's actually involved in keeping reptiles.

Butterscotch came in as a rescue situation. The building was never meant to house a full-grown burm, but it's the best we have right now.

Rebuilding it is an option...IF I want to do it myself. Which, I do...eventually. She will need a much larger enclosure eventually and I want to make sure she has that before I leave. (We're probably moving again next summer) When I rebuild some of these old enclosures into one big one, I will definitely be incorporating some safety measures for handling a giant snake. BUT...that whole project is on my shoulders...and I'm no carpenter. It's going to take time.

In the meantime, I'm stuck with the step ladder and going in from above. Just have to make the best of what I have to work with right now.

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Ok now i understand :gj:.

Invest in a hook-coming in from the top of the cage is rough. It may be a feeding response but it could also be the fact that you are coming at her from above. Imagine how big we must look to our snakes when they are on the floor looking up at us. Listerine works very well-we always have it all over the place-we use it to clean and to get them off if they bite. (My husband also uses it when he gets a new tattoo to keep the area clean). We've used it for years.

I'm so sorry to hear you got bit, I can honestly say I know how that feels over and over and over again. One thing you have to remember is-don't be afraid to go back in there after her and don't hesitate when you grab her (when you let your is when they get you!!!). And if she needs somewhere to live for a few years let me know!!!!:):):)

Use Butterscotch's current enclosure for some other reptile and build her a new roomy cage.

Just my thought :)

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Originally Posted by TheresaBearden

Invest in a hook-coming in from the top of the cage is rough. It may be a feeding response but it could also be the fact that you are coming at her from above. Imagine how big we must look to our snakes when they are on the floor looking up at us. Listerine works very well-we always have it all over the place-we use it to clean and to get them off if they bite. (My husband also uses it when he gets a new tattoo to keep the area clean). We've used it for years.

I'm so sorry to hear you got bit, I can honestly say I know how that feels over and over and over again. One thing you have to remember is-don't be afraid to go back in there after her and don't hesitate when you grab her (when you let your is when they get you!!!). And if she needs somewhere to live for a few years let me know!!!!:):):)

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Thanks, Theresa!

I got a squirt bottle of Listerine all set up in there, now. And I do have a hook. I touch her head with it, and let her slide her neck along it whenever I open her cage and it's NOT feeding day. Hopefully she'll get used to that routine.

I was there yesterday and sort of chickened-out. She was extremely alert and tracking my every move very closely. I honestly couldn't tell if she was just curious what I was up to, or if she was waiting for just the right moment to strike. I kept having visions of her going for my face... :weirdface Not a good feeling.

So, I got a medium sized tub-lid and used that as a shield...got her cage all cleaned and water freshened up, but I didn't take her out of the enclosure.

I did get pictures of the set-up and of Butterscotch and will get those up as soon as possible, but it might not be until this weekend...my schedule has been crazy-busy lately.

Thanks again, guys...for all your great advice and sympathetic ears!! :oops:

I am glad you are ok.

I have no experience with large snakes (except for some mild ogling at NERD occasionally) but I have a lot of experience with overcoming fear.

You wrote that you sort of chickened out because she was watching your every move. To me, that sounds like honing of your instincts. Trust your fear but don't let it stop you. By that I mean-- don't let yourself call it chickening out. If you observe that she is different from day to day and you don't think it is safe, it's not safe. Trust the instincts you develop. It's GOOD to be afraid of being nailed by a burmese. But by the same token, don't let the fear color the normal stuff. Watch her a lot and recognize when she is not in feeding mode. Check what you can do and can't do. Have back up plans upon back up plans but keep taking one small step each time you are there. It sounds like you are doing a great job with her and with the whole incident and I am really glad you are ok.

@JLC:

Wow. You put me to shame; I rant on how I can make my 2 "bratty retics" puppy tame like their "older sister" retic and shy ball python (http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showthread.php?t=96381) but...wow. That's all I can say. Never seen so much determination. :)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by JLC

Thanks, Theresa!

I got a squirt bottle of Listerine all set up in there, now. And I do have a hook. I touch her head with it, and let her slide her neck along it whenever I open her cage and it's NOT feeding day. Hopefully she'll get used to that routine.

I was there yesterday and sort of chickened-out. She was extremely alert and tracking my every move very closely. I honestly couldn't tell if she was just curious what I was up to, or if she was waiting for just the right moment to strike. I kept having visions of her going for my face... :weirdface Not a good feeling.

So, I got a medium sized tub-lid and used that as a shield...got her cage all cleaned and water freshened up, but I didn't take her out of the enclosure.

I did get pictures of the set-up and of Butterscotch and will get those up as soon as possible, but it might not be until this weekend...my schedule has been crazy-busy lately.

Thanks again, guys...for all your great advice and sympathetic ears!! :oops:

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Killer snake handling equipment...
1. Listerine filled squirt bottle- check!
2. Trusty tub lid for shield- check!
3. Man eater snake gloves- check!
4. Man eatin' snake handling hook- check!
Maybe pick up a catchers mask or hockey mask for face shots??:gj:

Wes.. Dude you had me rolling about the knot in the shoelace addition to the story:rofl:

JLC Your determination and the way you went about handling this ordeal deserves some major respect :)

LOL...thanks guys. It really wasn't a big deal. Well, I mean, it sure got the adrenaline going...but all anyone can do is sit and wait it out, so that's what I did.

I like the face-mask idea! :D :rofl: I could go in there with a whole set of hockey goalie gear!

Here's an update on the story if anyone missed it:
http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showthread.php?t=102833

Quote:

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Originally Posted by JLC

I was there yesterday and sort of chickened-out. She was extremely alert and tracking my every move very closely. I honestly couldn't tell if she was just curious what I was up to, or if she was waiting for just the right moment to strike. I kept having visions of her going for my face... :weirdface Not a good feeling.

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This is the exact feeling I had when I first got my carpet python. She was a little hissy for the first two weeks (shaken up from the shipping and new environment), but little did I know at the time how quickly that would stop. I heard stories about nippy younglings, so I was very wary. The first time I tried to handle her, I was completely out of my element in judging her mood. She kept her eyes locked on my face, would retreat a bit if I reached in, but then move towards me, sometimes she would pose in what looked like a strike position. I couldn't tell if she was curious or if she felt threatened.

I quickly learned that she had no desire to strike anything other than food, but it takes time to pick up on a new snake's personality, especially if it is a species you haven't worked with before, and ESPECIALLY something that seems active and alert, rather than passive and uninterested in you.

Ouch, sorry to hear you got bit. Happens to everybody at some point in time.

Everybody else has already offered you the same information I would, so not much I can say on that.

Just don't get discouraged.